Pearl Sustaining Partners

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Category: IV Antibiotics

Over the last several months my health has continued to decline despite being compliant and diligent with my healthcare routine. In July I developed a fever during a trip to Boston to speak to a biotech company about my journey with cystic fibrosis. I developed a fever and by the end of my visit, I was unable to walk up steps without severe dyspnea. I was so exhausted from feeling sick I would return to my hotel room to lay in the bed for hours to rest. My chest pain and shortness of breath became so severe in the coming days that I could no longer take a deep breath. I checked my SpiroPd home spirometer which displayed a definite decline in my lung function. I immediately contacted my CF clinic to see my CF doctor. Initially, despite feeling bad, I assumed I was feeling poorly and decided not to rush to CF clinic. Sometimes I have a bad day or few bad days health wise and begin to improve on my own. Once I saw my lung function had declined I knew I needed to be seen in CF clinic rather than waiting it out. Continue reading Home Spirometers: A Useful Tool in Tracking CF Symptoms and Progress

This year the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be supporting three virtual events created by and for adults with CF to connect and share their experiences. In 2016, a group of adults with CF created BreatheCon, a two-day event that had a powerful effect in connecting community members. This year, in addition to BreatheCon, we are also introducing two CF MiniCons, which are one-day, topic-specific virtual events.

While last year’s BreatheCon was a pilot program, with 188 attendees and limited mostly to word of mouth promotion, this year we encourage you to spread the word about these virtual events to all adults with CF. Please note these events are open only to adults with CF (not to Care Center staff).

CF MiniCon: Transplant – May 21

On Sunday, May 21 from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, members of the CF community will be hosting CF MiniCon: Transplant, where adults with CF can have an honest and open dialogue about the transplant process.

This virtual event will include presentations, group chats, and small group video breakouts on a variety of aspects of transplantation that are unique to people living with CF. Discussion will focus on lifestyle, not on medical topics.

All adults with CF age 18 and over are welcome to attend CF MiniCon: Transplant. Registration is open now through May 18 at www.cff.org/minicon. For questions or more information, email breathecon@cff.org.

Additional 2017 Events
Please be on the lookout for additional details on CF MiniCon: Young Adult Transition (July 22) and BreatheCon 2017 (September 8-9) in the weeks leading up to the events. If you would like to recommend someone from your community who has CF and is age 18 or over to help plan these events, or if you have any questions, please email Danielle Lowe Cipriani at dcipriani@cff.org.

We look forward to working with you to support virtual connections for people living with CF.

I’m currently inpatient getting IV antibiotics. I caught the flu a few weeks ago and as per the course it wreaked havoc on my lungs. But after a week I’m feeling better already and counting down to discharge day.

Up For Air, The Inspirational Award-winning Documentary Available for Rent/Purchase

We are excited to announce that the award-winning Up For Air documentary featuring BEF ambassador and 60-year-old pole-vaulting coach living with CF, Jerry Cahill, is now available to rent and purchase on Vimeo. Watch the full movie here:https://vimeo.com/ondemand/upforair.

About Up For Air
The film, directed and produced by Artem Agafonov, was shot over a period of five years, highlighting the “lead by example” and “you cannot fail” attitude of Jerry Cahill as he overcomes the daily challenges of living with CF. Viewers will understand the importance of Jerry’s role as a coach and mentor to pole-vaulting athletes, as well as the sobering reality of Jerry’s daily medical regimen.

The documentary follows the steady decline of Jerry’s lung function, framing his body as a defective machine and pegging time as his ultimate antagonist. When Jerry’s lung capacity decreases to 19 percent, a double lung transplant becomes imminent.

Up For Air gives viewers a glimpse into Jerry’s journey as he transforms and vaults over the many obstacles of this next chapter of his life.